Station set directory assistance arrangement

Abstract

A stored directory is searched from a display station set to obtain the telephone number of a sought-after name. The arrangement uses the station set keypad to generate signals corresponding to the spelling of the sought-after name. The arrangement adds each entry it receives to previously formed sequence of entries and, for each newly formed sequence, returns to the station set the name and telephone number contained in a directory record having a string of characters that compare to the newly formed sequence. The arrangement also provides means for scrolling through the directory.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An arrangement for providing directory information at a telephone station set having a plurality of keypad buttons operative for causing the generation of respective keypad signals, each of said signals corresponding to an individual character, said arrangement comprising, a stored directory for storing a plurality of records, each of said records including an information field and a string of characters,   means responsive to receipt of each signal of a sequence of said keypad button signals for forming a sequence of characters comprising the character corresponding to the received signal and the characters respectively corresponding to each previously received signal, and   means responsive to each said sequence of characters for transferring to said station set the information field of one of said records having a string of characters matching said each sequence of characters.   
     
     
       2. The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein said information field includes the telephone number of an associated telephone station set. 
     
     
       3. The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein said string of characters is a group of digits. 
     
     
       4. The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein said arrangement further includes means for invoking the operation of said directory information arrangement upon receiving a starting signal from said telephone station set. 
     
     
       5. The invention set forth in claim 2 wherein said arrangement further includes means for initiating a telephone call to said telephone number. 
     
     
       6. The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein said arrangement further includes scrolling means responsive to scrolling signals received from said station set for transferring to said station set the information field of a record stored in said directory adjacent to the record having said matching string of characters. 
     
     
       7. The invention set forth in claim 6 wherein said station set scrolling signals include a first signal and a second signal for directing said scrolling means to one of said records preceding or following said record having said matching string of characters, respectively. 
     
     
       8. The invention set forth in claim 6 wherein said scrolling means includes means for transferring to said station set the information field of a next one of said records having a string of characters matching said sequence of characters. 
     
     
       9. An arrangement operative for accessing directory information from a telephone station set having a keypad, said keypad having a plurality of buttons each operative for causing the generation of an individual one of a plurality of keypad button signals, each of said signals corresponding to an individual character, each of said signals corresponding to an individual character, comprising memory means for storing a plurality of records, each of said records including an information field and a group of characters,   means responsive to receipt of each signal of a sequence of said keypad button signals for forming a sequence of characters comprising the character corresponding to the received signal and the characters respectively corresponding to each previously received signal,   means responsive to each said sequence of characters for transferring to said station set the information field of one of said records having a string of characters matching said each sequence of characters,   means for generating scrolling signals at said station, and   means responsive to said scrolling signals for supplying to the station set the information field of a record adjacent to said record having said matching string of characters.   
     
     
       10. The invention set forth in claim 9 wherein said arrangement further includes means for invoking the operation of said arrangement upon receiving a starting signal from said station set. 
     
     
       11. The invention set forth in claim 9 wherein said supplying means includes means for supplying to said station set the information field of a stored record preceding or following the stored record having said string of characters matching said sequence of characters. 
     
     
       12. The invention set forth in claim 11 wherein said scrolling signals includes a first scrolling signal for directing said supplying means to supply said preceding record and a second scrolling signal for directing said supplying means to supply said following record. 
     
     
       13. The invention set forth in claim 9 wherein said information field includes the telephone number of a telephone station set. 
     
     
       14. The invention set forth in claim 9 wherein said station set includes a display module. 
     
     
       15. A directory information retrieval system accessible at a station set to obtain particular directory information, said station set having a plurality of keypad buttons for causing the generation of respective keypad signals, each of said button signals corresponding to an individual character, said system comprising station set means for generating a special signal corresponding to punctuation contained in a group of said characters,   data storage means having a plurality of memory locations for the storage of a plurality of records, each of said records including an information field and a group of characters,   means responsive to receipt of each signal of said keypad signals and said special signal for forming a sequence of said corresponding characters and punctuation, and   means responsive to each said sequence of characters and punctuations for searching said data storage means and transferring to said station set the information field of a record having a string of characters and punctuation matching said sequence.   
     
     
       16. The invention set forth in claim 15 wherein said system includes scrolling means responsive to scrolling signals received from said station set for transferring to said station set the information field of a record contained in said storage means adjacent to the record having said matching string of characters and punctuation. 
     
     
       17. The invention set forth in claim 16 wherein said scrolling signals include a signal for directing said scrolling means to another record having a string of characters matching said sequence of characters and punctuation. 
     
     
       18. A method for automatically providing directory assistance at a station set having a plurality of buttons each operative for causing the generation of respective keypad signals, each of said signals corresponding to an individual character, said method including the steps of storing in memory a plurality of records, each of said records including an information field and a string of characters,   receiving each signal of a sequence of said keypad button signals,   forming a sequence of characters comprising the character corresponding to the received signal and the characters respectively corresponding to any previously received signals, and   searching said memory upon forming each said sequence of characters and transferring to said station set the information field of a record having a string of characters matching said sequence of characters.